Hardware System Validation Engineer

Apple Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 126,800 - 220,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Educational expense reimbursement

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Apple Inc. is looking for a Validation Engineer to join the Hardware Engineering team in San Jose, California. This role involves validating Apple SoCs and other key modules in a real product environment, collaborating closely with designers to develop and execute rigorous test plans.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, at least 3 years of experience in complex systems, and proficiency in Python scripting. Comprehensive benefits include medical coverage, stock options, and educational reimbursement.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with hardware/software architecture and interoperability of complex systems.
• Experience with hardware system design and integration, SoC design/integration, debug/testing, or validation.
• Familiarity with industry standards (USB, PCIe, DDR, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Validate Apple SoCs and other modules, optimizing test flows.
• Develop and execute system tests using scripts and automation.
• Serve as the first line of debug for issues.

Skills

Hardware/software architecture

Interoperability of complex systems

Scripting proficiency in Python

Experience in SoC design/integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Thermal chambers

Job description

Join the system validation team at Apple's Hardware Engineering, where we validate system-level performance of Apple SoCs and other key modules (cameras, displays, and other state-of-the-art sensors) in a system environment that mirrors real product use.

Description

In this role, you will: Primarily validate Apple SoCs, while also running testing on other modules such as cameras, displays, and sensors that ship in Apple products. Work closely with module designers and functional test writers to understand high-level architectures of each IP block within Apple SoCs or other modules, and define applicable validation plans. Develop and execute these system tests, leveraging scripts and automation frameworks, on a large volume of engineering prototypes throughout the product life cycles. Serve as the first line of debug when issues occur—triaging, isolating, and bucketizing failures. Partner with domain experts to define DoEs (Design of Experiments), develop root-cause theories, and test possible workarounds. Development of automated testing for power consumption data collection from our battery and power supply systems. Creation of new test methodologies to expand test coverage to new modalities including optical / computer-vision based testing. Optimize test and calibration flows for hardware sub-systems. Apply AI/ML techniques for test data mining, anomaly detection, and factory data analytics. Travel internationally ~10% of the time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related field
• 3+ years of experience with hardware/software architecture and interoperability of complex systems
• Scripting proficiency in Python; comfortable building and maintaining automation frameworks
• Experience in one of the following: hardware system design and integration, SoC design/integration, debug/testing, or validation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SoC bring up, familiar with computer architectures (cache, memory hierarchy, data pipelines) and logic design
• Experience with bringing-up and testing of camera, display or any other modules in consumer electronics
• Experience in silicon validation software engineering or related field
• Experience with embedded system debug
• Experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and thermal chambers
• Strong proficiency in Python and Lua; proficient in Shell scripting
• Familiarity with industry standards (USB, PCIe, DDR, etc.)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $126,800 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses—including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Learn more about Apple Benefits.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace.

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.